An Iranian American Jewish man from Great Neck has been held in an Iranian prison since July and charged with with traveling to Israel 13 years ago., his family told The New York Times. Kamran Hekmati, 70, was sentenced to four years in prison in late August.
Since The Times reported on Hekmati’s imprisonment on Nov. 6. the community has advocated for Hekmati’s release. This includes U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi of New York’s 3rd Congressional District who wrote a Nov. 11 letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging immediate action by the State Department to secure Hekmati’s.
Hekmati is a Great Neck Estates resident and a member of the village’s zoning board who owns a jewelry business based in New York City. According to Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral, Hekmati advocated for Iran while being a “very active part” of the Great Neck community, known to people as kind and loving. Bral said he has known Hekmati for 25 to 30 years.
“He really advocated – he did advocate for Iran. I mean, believe it or not, he was an advocate for Iran, which I found very surprising, and for him now to be held hostage – it’s ironic,” Bral said. “He’s a 70-year-old man, his wife and his children and brothers in the community are desperately waiting for him to come home.”
Bral said Hekmati never spoke negatively about Iran and had traveled there multiple times over the years, including many visits after his trip to Israel.
“I would have thought he would be the last one that they take because, you know, he never said anything negative about the government,” Bral said.
Bral also said Hekmati contributed to Great Neck’s Jewish community.
“He’s a kind, genuine gentleman who was an active member of his community,” Bral said. “He gave to Great Neck. He gave to his Jewish community.”
He said the community is cautiously hopeful about Hekmati’s future.
“People are hopeful, but at the same time, they know what this government is capable of,” Bral said. “There’s no rhyme or reason. There’s none.”
David Esh, chairman of the Great Neck Estates Zoning Board of Appeals, echoed the idea that the community isn’t sure how to help Hekmati.
“As far as the community goes, for me it’s hard to ascertain what we can do other than, for example, talking to you and the press to try to get the word out,” Esh said. “So hopefully the government and the State Department can advocate for him to try to get him back.”
Esh served alongside Hekmati on the zoning board, of which he said Hekmati is one of the longest-standing members. He said his interactions with Hekmati are limited to zoning board-related matters, but that he knows him as courteous.
“It’s just sad to see that you know Kamran is paying the price for the politicians there trying to advance their political will,” he said, referring to the Iranian government.
Village of Great Neck Estates residents expressed interest in sending personal letters to the federal government on behalf of Hekmati at a meeting on Nov. 10. Mayor William Warner said he will reach out to the Iranian-American Jewish Federation of New York for support.
Warner could not be reached prior to publication, nor could a representative of the Great Neck Estates Board of Tustees or members of Hekmati’s family.
